Empire Line (Ben Coen) holds off Jered Maddox (Oisin Orr)© Photo Healy Racing
Ben Coen doubled up on the night at Dundalk when riding his first winner in the Magnier silks and his first for Fozzy Stack aboard Empire Line (5/6 favourite) in the Dundalk Stadium Business Club 2019 Maiden.
Coen triumphed in the opening sprint handicap for his uncle Andy Slattery on View The Bay and here he tracked the leaders on Empire Line, and was third at the halfway stage.
The successful son of Holy Roman Emperor travelled well and led under two furlongs out.
Pushed along and wandering over a furlong out, Empire Line was two lengths clear and ridden when veering sharply left 100 yards out, eventually holding on by half a length from Jered Maddox (slightly impeded).
“He was travelling very easily coming into the straight and there was nothing to bring him to the furlong pole so I kind of had to go then,” said Coen.
“He was just idling a bit in front. He's a lovely horse, he had the form coming into the race and he showed it. He's a lovely horse to ride.
“It was just greenness as he hasn't run too many times. He was just green when he hit the front for the first time and he'll improve for it.
“It's great to be riding in these colours. It's unbelievable to even get a ride in them so to get a winner is even better.
“Fozzy is giving me plenty of rides so hopefully it keeps going.”
The Stewards received a report from A.J. Slattery, Rider, that on arrival at the start his mount Amberscole took fright from the noise of the stalls being tested and ducked quickly giving him no chance of staying in the saddle. .
(GC & EM)
